LONDON: An oil tanker loaded with Iraqi crude was seen passing through the Strait of Hormuz close to the Iranian coast a day after Iran said Iraq was exempt from any restrictions to transit the vital sea route, data from LSEG and Kpler showed. The Ocean Thunder loaded about 1 million barrels of Basrah Heavy crude on March 2 and is expected to discharge its cargo in Pengerang, Malaysia, in mid-April, Kpler data showed.

The headquarters stressed that "the restrictions apply only to hostile countries."

Tehran says Iraq will face no restrictions in waterway, praising country's 'struggle' against the US.